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Tips for Seniors and their Families. Breaking through isolation during COVID-19.

NEEDHAM, MA… Older adults (age 60+) have been identified as one of the most vulnerable populations in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result, many seniors are now distancing themselves from others and are essentially “homebound” and isolated.

FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, offers tips for seniors to help ward off boredom and other potential effects that have been linked to social isolation.

“As seniors continue to practice precautions in these uncertain times, many are struggling with the social isolation aspect that goes along with it,” said Wendy Adlerstein, LSW, Owner and Executive Director of FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, a leading provider of non-medical home care helping individuals achieve the quality of life they deserve. Adlerstein, a licensed social worker, has more than 20 years of experience in working with seniors.

She continued, “Altered sleep patterns, feelings of loneliness, as well as increased fear and anxiety are a few of the effects of social isolation that may develop over time.”

In light of this, FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston offers five “isolation buster” activities for seniors below:

Engage in “brain games”. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are a couple traditional games that seniors may enjoy on their own. Tech-savvy seniors may prefer to play Scrabble, Dominoes or a variety of other multi-player online games.

Enjoy the show. Create a list of your favorite movies, share it with friends and family and encourage them to add to the list. Share ratings and critiques with one another. From past and present Oscar winners, dramas and musicals to romantic comedies and westerns, there’s a variety of genres and no shortage of films.

Find a new hobby or project. Do you enjoy perusing cookbooks for recipes that you could improve upon? Whether it’s cooking, crafting, woodworking, drawing or another activity – find a hobby you are passionate about that will bring you joy and keep you busy.

Learn something new. Consider learning a new language through any of the free language learning websites. Visit online exhibits at museums from around the world. A good link to start with is https://artsandculture.google.com/. Or, simply tune in to some of the fun, educational television shows that offer instruction on baking, gardening, painting and more.

Revisit your favorite books. Whether it’s a collection of classic works, a favorite “whodunit”, or that 400-page page biography – there’s no better time than the present to enjoy it.

Adlerstein advises, “Finding activities that you enjoy, and that stimulate thinking, problem solving and creativity will not only keep you from being bored, but can improve mood and help keep you sharp. Although social distancing is a necessity, stay in touch with neighbors, family and friends on a regular basis. Talk on the phone, video chat, text or email. We’re all in this together and will get through it.”

For more information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the following websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov

Massachusetts Department of Health – https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

About FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery; adults with disabilities; and anyone over the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Care can be provided at private residences, as well as independent and assisted living communities.

For additional information, contact FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, (781) 559-0220, https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-west-suburban-boston/contact/

Tips for Seniors and their Families. Breaking through isolation during COVID-19.Read More

When it comes to the end of life, talking matters.

Arza Goldstein, who manages a private practice as an End of Life Doula, helping the dying and their families make the time that remains less stressful and more meaningful, will lead a workshop on Wednesday, May 1st at 6 p.m., at FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, 109 – 123 Highland Avenue, Suite 301, Needham, MA  02494 (directly across from Panera Bread and between TD Bank and Petco).

The program, named “The Conversation Project”, was developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and is centered on how sharing your wishes for end-of-life care can bring you closer to the people you love.

The Conversation Project Nation Survey (2018) underscores the following statistics –

92% of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important.

32% have actually done so.

21% of people say they haven’t had the conversation because they don’t want to upset their loved ones.

53% say they’d be relieved if a loved one started the conversation.

Arza Goldstein is an entrepreneur, journey woman and advocate. Her career path has taken her from Birth Doula to Hospice nurse, community organizer and co-founder of Living Wisely, Dying Well, an organization designed to encourage conversations about death and dying.

Today, after 11 years as a hospice nurse, sitting at the bedside of hundreds of dying patients, Arza has a private practice as an End of Life Doula, helping the dying and their families make the time that remains less stressful and more meaningful. Most of us don’t like to talk about dying but come for this conversation and see how thinking about death and dying makes us live our lives with greater intention.   

This interactive presentation encourages participants to ask questions and provide their own anecdotes.

About FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery; adults with disabilities; and anyone over the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Care can be provided at private residences, as well as independent and assisted living communities.

To RSVP, please visit http://tinyurl.com/y2fbztpd.

For additional information, please contact FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, 781-559-0220,   https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-west-suburban-boston/contact/

When it comes to the end of life, talking matters.Read More

Seeing mom and dad at the holidays?  Good time to assess their wellness.

Concerned about loved ones as they age? The holidays are often a time for happy reunions with aging parents, in-laws, aunts and uncles who you haven’t seen in months or perhaps even years.

A free, objective and informational seminar will provide some insight on what to look for and how to have meaningful conversations about aging choices will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the education and training center of FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, 109 Highland Avenue, Suite 301, Needham, MA  02494. There is ample, free parking both in the front and rear of the office building. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

The educational session will be led by Wendy Adlerstein, LSW, who has more than 20 years experience in working with seniors. She holds a B.A. from Clark University, in Psychology with a concentration in Sociology and Human Services. In addition to her Massachusetts License in Social Work, Wendy holds a Certificate in Gerontology from the Worcester Consortium Gerontology Program.

She is a member of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), formerly the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.  Finally, Wendy is a Certified Dementia Practitioner® in good standing from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.

A holiday visit is the perfect time to assess how your loved one is doing because you are able to look for visual clues indicating signs of decline that you would not be able to glean through a telephone call.

The seminar will outline the 10 signs to watch for. This interactive presentation also encourages participants to ask questions and provide their own anecdotes.

A single, isolated sign doesn’t necessarily mean your loved one is in trouble. Sometimes you can just feel a change in a person even if you can’t articulate it. If there are numerous signs and you believe that your loved one may be having difficulty, you need to address it with your loved one and other close family members.

About FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery; adults with disabilities; and anyone over the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Care can be provided at private residences, as well as independent and assisted living communities.

To RSVP, please visit https://goo.gl/nZGS3F.

For additional information, please contact FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, (781) 559-0220, https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-west-suburban-boston/contact/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing mom and dad at the holidays?  Good time to assess their wellness.Read More

Paul Raia, PhD Speaks About “Alzheimer’s Perfect Storm” at Old Colony Elder Services

May is Older Americans Month and the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living, has announced that this year’s theme is “Unleash the Power of Age”.

According to the AoA, “People across our nation are achieving remarkable things in later life. Many older adults are experts in their fields, have years of valuable experience, and are using that knowledge to improve the lives of others.”

In honor of Older Americans Month, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), hosted a talk by Paul Raia, PhD, an innovator and renowned expert in the field of dementia.

Dr. Raia spoke to OCES staff and board members about the “Alzheimer’s Perfect Storm”; he shared definitions and demographics, current research and Habilitation Therapy, an approach that he developed more than 20 years ago that is now accepted as the best standard of care.

Dr. Raia has been directing patient care and family support at the Alzheimer’s Association for over 22 years, and now serves as vice president of clinical programs at the MA/NH Chapter. He developed the Habilitation Therapy approach to dementia, which focuses on the patient’s emotions and their remaining capacities. As a frequent contributor to various publications and journals, Dr. Raia has written primarily on dementia as a treatable condition. He serves on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and frequently appears as an expert on Alzheimer’s for television, radio and print news media. Dr. Raia has been recognized by several organizations for his distinguished service receiving awards from The Massachusetts Gerontology Association, the Massachusetts State Legislature, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Massachusetts Homecare Association.

“Dr. Raia is a pioneer in the field of dementia and we were very fortunate to have him as a guest speaker to share his vast knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease, research and Habilitation Therapy,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 169 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Paul Raia, PhD Speaks About “Alzheimer’s Perfect Storm” at Old Colony Elder ServicesRead More

According to Right at Home South Shore president, Love and Companionship Result in a Healthier and Longer Life

Libet Callahan, RN, BSN, president of the South Shore's Right at Home

With the arrival of Valentine’s Day on February 14, February has been designated as the month of love. But dark chocolate isn’t the only sweet gift that is good for the heart – building strong relationships and socializing with others play a vital role in living a longer and healthier life. The medical profession has been telling us for years that eating right and getting regular exercise will improve longevity. However, many physicians are now saying that maintaining positive relationships also can contribute to keeping people healthy. In numerous studies, researchers have found that people who have strong friendships and have the opportunity to socialize with others, age better, recover from illness more quickly, have stronger immunity and live longer, more personally fulfilling lives.

The connection between relationships and life expectancy is not a new theory. In a recent study at Brigham Young University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill involving more than 300,000 men and women across the developed world, researchers found that those who were considered to have poor social connections and limited opportunity for socialization had an average of 50 percent higher odds of death (an average of 7.5 years) than those with “robust” social ties and regular socialization. That is a significant difference not only in longevity, but also, in quality of life.

Among the aging, the lack of ongoing relationships and regular socialization is a common concern. For many aging adults their relatives, neighbors and friends move, go into long-term-care or die, leaving them isolated and alone. One health problem reported by Medical News Today links the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in old age to social isolation. Loneliness was linked to lower levels of cognitive function as well as more rapid decline of general physical function. People who identified themselves as “lonely” experienced double the risk of developing Alzheimer’s than those who described themselves as “least lonely”. It is estimated that 28 percent of Americans older than age 65 live alone, which exacerbates this problem. It is important for seniors and their caregivers to be aware of the potential for social isolation and how to create opportunities to develop personal bonds with others.

Here are some considerations to minimize senior isolation and loneliness:
Encourage your aging loved one to participate in local activities at their church, synagogue or senior center. Many senior centers offer transportation to and from the facility at low or no cost.
Coordinate with siblings and relatives to ensure that your loved one receives a visit or at least one phone call daily.
Adult day care centers can be a great resource for socialization and cognitive stimulation.
Senior Homecare agencies like Right at Home can provide vetted companions that offer socialization as well as help with food preparation, light housekeeping and transportation to doctor appointments, shopping or just to go visit a friend.
Keep in mind that love from friends and family could be the key to ensuring a longer, happier life, not just on February 14, but all year long. Remember your aging loved ones this Valentine’s Day by giving a cherished gift – your time.
About Right At Home

Right at Home provides non-medical in-home care services to seniors and disabled adults throughout the South Shore. Right At Home is among the first in the state to earn Accreditation from the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts. As a private-pay home care agency, Right At Home can provide services in settings other than the home, such as in assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement facilities, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals.

Right at Home provides care services of companionship, homemaking, physical assistance, hygiene and wellness. In addition, Right At Home accommodates clients in special care situations providing home care for Alzheimer’s and other dementia, osteoarthritis, hypertension/stroke, diabetes, heart disease, neuromuscular diseases and disorders, cancer recovery, hospice/palliative care support, mental health, traumatic brain injury and paraplegia/quadriplegia. All Right At Home caregivers are fully insured and bonded, must pass a vigorous background check, complete a training program and pass a competency test before being placed with a client.

The company serves the following areas: Abington, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton (East Side), Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Middleboro, Milton, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Randolph, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, Weymouth and Whitman. Right at Home has offices located at 800 Hingham Street, in Rockland, MA and 38 Resnik Road in Plymouth, MA. For more information contact 866-681-3545 or visit the website at http://www.rightathome.net/southshore/.

According to Right at Home South Shore president, Love and Companionship Result in a Healthier and Longer LifeRead More

240K HUD Grant Awarded to Old Colony Elder Services

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, is one of five agencies that has been awarded the Resident Opportunities and Supportive Services (ROSS) federal grant.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development has developed the ROSS program to link public housing residents who are elderly or who have disabilities with supportive services and education designed to ensure self-sufficiency needed for independent living. The $240,000 ROSS grant will be disbursed to OCES over the next three years.

“We’re very pleased to receive the ROSS grant. OCES is one of only three non-profit agencies nationally to receive this special grant that links elderly and disabled public housing residents with supportive services they need to maintain independent living,” said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

The ROSS grant will allow for full time OCES staff coverage at Northfield and Highcliff housing sites in Plymouth. Supportive Housing Programs exist at each of the Plymouth Housing Authority’s five housing sites: Northfield, Cherry Hill, Southfield, High Cliffs and Castle Court. Each site serves more than 100 elders.

The additional staff at Northfield and Highcliff will further increase collaboration among service providers and ensure that residents’ needs are met. The goal of Supportive Housing is to meet individual needs by providing services that are aimed at educating and empowering residents which will ultimately support the prevention of premature institutionalization. Some of the educational programs that will be offered focus on financial literacy, credit counseling, chronic disease self management and emergency preparedness training.

For more information, contact Nicole Welch, Program Development Manager at OCES
(508) 584-1561 extension 249.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts:
Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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Holiday Wellness Check – Right At Home Outlines 10 Signs An Aging Loved One Needs Help

The holidays are often a time for happy reunions with family members and friends. Whether you live far from your loved ones, or your job and other commitments prevent you from visiting more than once or twice a year, you may be surprised to see that your aging loved one is beginning to show signs of decline.

Family gatherings are one of the best times to assess how your loved one is doing and look for signs that may indicate there is cause for concern. Libet Callahan, RN, BSN, president of the South Shore office of Right at Home, providers of non-medical in-home care services to seniors and disabled adults throughout the South Shore, advises family members of the 10 signs to watch for:

Weight loss
Not maintaining his/her personal appearance and hygiene
Not remembering when to take medication and not knowing what condition each medication is treating
Not eating nutritious meals or not eating at all
Food in the refrigerator or on the shelves that is past its expiration date or molding
Not maintaining the home by doing chores such as cleaning bathrooms, washing floors or regular vacuuming
Not paying bills – unpaid or unopened piles of bills are a red flag
Not taking proper care of a pet
Avoiding or having difficulty ascending/descending steps
Limiting contact with or lacking an interest in the outside world

According to Ms. Callahan, “Ultimately, a single, isolated sign doesn’t necessarily mean your loved one is in trouble. Sometimes you can just feel a change in a person even if you can’t articulate it. If there are numerous signs and you believe that your loved one may be having difficulty, you need to address it with your loved one and other close family members. Your aging loved one may be in need of a number of services – from companionship to personal care and homemaking – and Right at Home can help.”

Single-service care options such as meals-on-wheels or an adult daycare may be enough. But, oftentimes a multi-service provider such as Right At Home is needed to provide the companion, homemaker and personal care services that enable seniors and those with disabilities to remain in the comfort of their home for as long as possible.

If you have concerns about a family member, take Right At Home’s online Care Assessment by visiting http://www.rightathome.net/southshore/. For questions or more information, contact Right At Home at 781-681-3545.

About Right At Home
Right at Home provides non-medical in-home care services to seniors and disabled adults throughout the South Shore. Right At Home is among the first in the state to earn Accreditation from the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts. As a private-pay home care agency, Right At Home can provide services in settings other than the home, such as in assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement facilities, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals.

Right at Home provides care services of companionship, homemaking, physical assistance, hygiene and wellness. In addition, Right At Home accommodates clients in special care situations providing home care for Alzheimer’s and other dementia, osteoarthritis, hypertension/stroke, diabetes, heart disease, neuromuscular diseases and disorders, cancer recovery, hospice/palliative care support, mental health, traumatic brain injury and paraplegia/quadriplegia. All Right At Home caregivers are fully insured and bonded, must pass a vigorous background check, complete a training program and pass a competency test before being placed with a client.

The company serves the following areas: Abington, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton (East Side), Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Middleboro, Milton, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Randolph, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, Weymouth and Whitman. Right at Home has offices located at 800 Hingham Street, in Rockland, MA and 38 Resnik Road in Plymouth, MA. For more information contact 866-681-3545 or visit the website at http://www.rightathome.net/southshore/.

Libet Callahan, RN, BSN

Holiday Wellness Check – Right At Home Outlines 10 Signs An Aging Loved One Needs HelpRead More

Dermatologist Dr. Richard Eisen to speak at Art of Beauty event

Hingham — Board certified dermatologist Dr. Richard Eisen of South Shore Skin Center and Spa, with offices in Cohasset and Plymouth, will speak on the topic of “Ageless Skin” on Tuesday, Jan. 25th at the Art of Beauty event, which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m., at Maxime Salon, 1 Derby St..

Read more in the Hingham Journal: http://bit.ly/fIyvPg

Dermatologist Dr. Richard Eisen to speak at Art of Beauty eventRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Announces “Stress & The Caregiver” Seminar on November 4th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) will hold a “Stress & The Caregiver” seminar on Thursday, November 4th at 7 p.m. at the Kingston Public Library, 6 Green Street in Kingston. OCES is an Aging Services Access Point headquartered in Brockton and serves seniors and caregivers in 23 towns south of Boston.

This free “Stress & The Caregiver” seminar will be led by Rochelle Sugarman, Family Caregiver Support Program Supervisor at OCES. This seminar offers education and guidance to help caregivers better manage stress.

To RSVP or for questions, contact Rochelle Sugarman at 508-584-1561.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Announces “Stress & The Caregiver” Seminar on November 4thRead More